The Health ’09 volunteer team has begun its work in the Kamasian Division of the Kipkelion District. This is the first time that FOL has based a volunteer team here. The team arrived on Monday to an overwhelming welcome from the local communities, school children and community leaders. It was amazing, and made us feel so welcome from the very beginning. Project tasks began on Tuesday with volunteers working with the local community health workers on health surveys in 2 nearby villages. The purpose of the survey is to get a measure of the area, and to get baseline data for development work in the area. The Community Health Workers have been trained by the Ministry of Health, and so these surveys will feed into the health planning and programmes for this division. It is a hilly area so walking is difficult, but the scenary is breathtaking. The communities here have many problems with water, sanitation and access to education. They are delighted that FOL is now in the area and we look forward to many projects in partnership with the local community committees here and the government ministries. The first peer education course began on Tuesday as well, where men and women came from up to 20km away to attend. The Irish volunteers are working alongside local peer educators on the course. The local peer educators travelled from Ndubusat to help FOL to work with this new community. Meanwhile two of the volunteer team are working in Kericho District Hospital in the obstetrics department. This will feed into FOL’s maternal health programme in this area. All is going well, and everyone is happy in their new home! Keep updated with the latest news on this website. Latest photos in our photo gallery – Click here FOL would to thank all the volunteers, their families, friends and colleagues who have supported this project. Your support is hugely appreciated by FOL and the local communities here in Kenya. Asante Sana!!
